The Laurel varsity football team bounced back from a week one road loss to defeat Brandywine, 20-13, in the home opener last Thursday in the Battle of the Bone. The win marked the first win for first-year head coach Kevin Niblett. 

“They didn’t make it easy on me. I’m proud of how they didn’t give up,” said Niblett. “The defense was stout tonight. They gave up a couple easy ones before the half. They dug deep and made some big plays.”

“Last week we let up a lot of points, and we looked out of shape. This week’s preparation is what won us the game. We won this game before we got on the field,” said Laurel junior, Brynnen “Buggy” Thompson, who had a sack, blocked punt, forced fumble, and tipped pass in addition to contributing as a member of the offensive line.

Laurel started with the ball before Brandywine recovered a fumble at the Laurel 34. Brandywine quarterback Chase Beauparlant completed a 25-yard pass to Kyren Robinson to move the ball to the eight-yard line. Thompson dropped Beauparlant for a four-yard loss on third and goal from the two, and a delay of game penalty forced Brandywine to attempt a 28-yard field goal, but the kick by Allyson Cleghorn was no good.

Brandywine got the ball back on the Laurel 42 following a Laurel punt. Thompson forced a fumble, and Tristen Johnson recovered it at the Brandywine 41.

Laurel senior quarterback Micah Niblett completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Za-Bryan Eley, but the extra point was no good, and the score remained 6-0 with 2:26 left in the open quarter.

Laurel’s defense held Brandywine to three-and-out on the next series, and Thompson blocked Brandywine’s punt. Brandywine got the ball back at the start of the second quarter when Zion Dixon intercepted a Laurel pass.

Laurel’s offense took over at the ball at Brandywine’s 24 following a stop by the defense and a muffed punt. Niblett had two carries for 14 yards and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ashton Ayres-Lucas. Niblett ran in the two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead (6:03).

Another short punt by Brandywine gave Laurel the ball on the Brandywine 29. Niblett had a 13-yard run before finding Ayres-Lucas in the end zone on third and goal from the 10. The two point try failed and the score was 20-0 with 3:55 left in the first half.

Beauparlant answered with a 48-yard pass to Robinson, and a 40-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Mangano. Cleghorn’s extra point made the score 20-7 (2:36).

Laurel was held to three plays and out on the next possession. Brandywine started on its own 45 and moved the ball on a 20-yard run by Dylan Walker, a 17-yard pass from Beauparlant to Robinson and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mangano. The extra point was good to keep it at 20-13 with 1:02 left in the half.

Laurel looked to score again before half-time. Niblett completed a 43-yard pass to Ayres-Lucas. Laurel had the ball on the Brandywine two with 14 seconds remaining before Brandywine’s Ronnell Page sacked Niblett to end the half.

Brandywine opened the second half with the ball on the 48. Eley intercepted a pass on third and four from the Laurel 46. The two teams exchanged possessions throughout the third quarter. Beauparlant found Robinson for a 34-yard completion, but Thompson recorded a sack on third and 12 from the Laurel 41 at the end of the quarter.

Niblett was stopped for no gain on fourth and two from the 47 early in the fourth quarter. Laurel got the ball back when Thompson tipped a Brandywine pass, and Nathan Moore intercepted it on second and 19 from the Laurel 36.

Niblett completed a 33-yard pass to Ayres-Lucas before Laurel turned the ball over on downs with 1:32 left. Brandywine’s pass on fourth and 20 from the 42 fell incomplete with 29 seconds left to seal the Laurel win.

Ayres-Lucas had 11 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns and intercepted a pass; Za-Bryan Eley had three receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown and an interception; and Micah Niblett completed 16 of 28 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

“The whole town was here tonight. It felt like we put on a show for them. There’s way more improvements to be made,” Thompson said.